Nancy Pridgen

COMER: Nancy Irene Cross Pridgen, 62, met Jesus and began her dance on streets of gold Friday, December 18, 2009, following a four-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Born January 30, 1947, she was the daughter of Walter and Ruby Cross of Phenix City, Ala.

Nancy and Jimmy moved to this area in 1972 where they began the first of their many business "adventures." Yes, it's true behind every good man there's a GREAT Woman. For 37 years, Nancy's southern charm, genteel spirit and entrepreneurial tenacity was witnessed by many as she worked side by side with Jimmy.
Nancy's life was characterized by many acts of kindness through the many organizations she served with - the Comer Lions Club, Christian Women's Club of Athens, church pianist, Sunday School teacher, Children's Ministry Volunteer, the Gideons, the Emmaus Walk, and the Loran Smith Cancer Center. Closest to her heart was pouring out her life to minister to others.

Simply put....She was the most GODLY, incredible, amazing woman you could ever meet. All who knew her loved her deeply. Words fall short to describe the Generational Impact she had as a Godly wife while passing on a Godly heritage to her seven Grandkids, all her nieces, nephews, and everyone who knew her. She could cook like nobody's business. Her fried chicken was the BEST on the planet. She was a Rockin GRANNIE! She dressed way cooler than most of us. She was like Ruth, Esther, and the Proverbs 31, Noble and Beautiful Woman all rolled into one. If you knew her the last four years of her life, you quickly discovered she's TOUGHER than ANYONE you've ever met; AND, she STAYED married to her only husband for 45 years - a rare feat in today's crazy culture. To know her was to love her.

Most importantly, Nancy would want you to know she loved Jesus more than anything. It is hard to imagine Heaven being any greater place than it has always been but you have to believe that the streets are shining even MORE brilliantly now, and the glow of the hosts of angels is just a bit brighter!

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Jimmy Eugene Pridgen, Sr., Comer; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Jim Carpenter; son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Sonja Pridgen, Hull; brother and sister-in-law, Glenn and Joan Cross, Danielsville; sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Rodney Odom, Richland; seven AMAZING grandchildren - Cassidy, Jayson, Hunter, and Cheyenne Pridgen and MacLean, Micah, and Mackenzie Carpenter; - and 14 nieces and nephews whom she ADORED.

A celebration of her life led by Vernon Brady, Jack Stahl, Pastor Lee Singley, and Pastor Jim Carpenter will be held at 2 p.m., Monday December 21 at Compass Church's Athens Campus on Hwy. 29 next to Athens Tech (525 Calhoun Drive, Athens, GA). Friends will be welcomed at the church from 12:15 - 1:30.

Flowers accepted and/or memorial donations to Compass Church (www.compasschurch.com) or the Loran Smith Cancer Center.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.